A probing, satiric, insightful, cynical, humorous, whimsical, Pythonesque examination of politics and those who practice politics along with refreshing perspectives on the events, times, programs, legislation, rulings and pronouncements of the ruling Cabal of self-interested self serving promoters who would sacrifice everything--the land, nature, our wonderful pristine environments for personal gain and narrow interests...

Thursday, August 02, 2007

The Katrinafication of America…

We are warned that many of our bridges and tunnels are long overdue for maintenance.

Engineers who conduct inspections typically rate the performance of the bridges and tunnels from a 1 to a 10.

We are also informed by the ranks of specialists in bridge engineering and maintenance, that about ten percent of inspectors really know their craft which does not add to one’s confidence when you are crossing say the four mile Chesapeake Bridge…

And depending on who you talk to, the bridge that collapsed yesterday received a 4 or 5 rating. That means the engineering team that inspected the bridge uncovered something that needed attention whether it was corrosion, or cracking or something else.

Unfortunately, nobody did anything about it…

And while a 4 rating on the basis of 9 as the high end should not raise concerns, the fact is that the bridge collapsed.

Therefore, the engineers must go back and see where they miscalculated. Or, alternatively, go back to the all bridges they gave a less than say a 6 rating to and reinspect them immediately for problems…

Dan McNichol, author of the Roads That America Built, who writes about bridges and tunnels, admits that approximately one-third of the bridges and tunnels may require extensive maintenance…

This comments from various authorities are not encouraging…

The question is why when there are benchmarks that provide taxpayer funding to build bridges to nowhere, we can’t do what is necessary to assure Americans that the bridges we cross are safe.

We’ll take our answers off the air….

Les AaronThe Armchair CurmudgeonSponsor of the Committee for Positive Change…

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About Me

A few things that drive me: Fair Play and representation of the smaller guy who tends to get beat up by the system.
In representing the small guy's interest in good, clean government, government that is fair to the governed--the way the Founding Fathers saw it, I like to give it back to the bullies in spades.
the guys who always complain about "our Values" those self professed arbiters of what's right and what's wrong; those guys who wave the flag and never served because they were too busy! Those Crusaders who are ready for Armegeddon!...and don't care who they sacrifice on the way!...And when I'm doing this, I also like to introduce a little levity, tweak their noses, yank their chains, inject some sarcasm and, hopefully, a little wit that flies over their heads. If you came around for the truth, good for you. If you came around the truth and the ability to give it back to the Right Wing lunatics, so much the better. With a media that's copped out, a Congress that is compliant, a government that is never mindful of those it governs, it is time for people like you and me to take back our country!